Ukraine's armed forces consider attack by Wagner mercenaries from Belarus unlikely
The defense forces of Ukraine do not consider an attack by mercenaries from the Wagner Private military Company from the territory of Belarus, where some of them were supposed to go after an unsuccessful attempt of rebellion against the Russian authorities, to be likely.
The Commander of the Joint Forces of Ukraine's armed forces, Serhii Naiev, stated this, Military Media Center reports.
"Regarding the statement on the possible participation of the Wagner PMC in the attack on our territory from the Republic of Belarus. I want to assure everyone that the situation in the northern operational zone remains stable and controlled," the military officer emphasized.
According to him, Ukrainian troops continue to build up defense equipment. At the same time, they do not observe the accumulation of forces on the Belarusian side.
"All services – from intelligence to engineering troops – are working in enhanced mode. Currently, there is no increase in equipment or human resources of the enemy. The state border is under reliable protection 24/7," said Naiev.
He added that an attempted attack from the territory of Belarus would be suicide for the aggressor.
"If this happens and the enemy tries to cross the state border, it will be nothing but suicide for them. Our soldiers are ready to give a decent response to anyone who dares to cross the state border with weapons in their hands," the military officer emphasized.
Earlier, during a visit to training exercises of the Sumy region soldiers on June 24, Serhii Naiev told Suspilne correspondents that there is currently no threat of a second attack by Russian troops on the Sumy region.
For reference:
In Russia, the Wagner riot lasted for about a day.
On the evening of June 23, Prigozhin, the head of Wagner Private Military Company, said that the Russian army attacked the rear positions of Wagner troops, resulting in "a huge number of soldiers" dying. In response, he announced a "campaign" to Rostov-on-Don to "deal with lawlessness in the army" and Shoigu [the Russian defense minister – ed.].
After 02:00, Prigozhin announced that his troops had already crossed the state borders and were moving through the Rostov region. He added that his forces allegedly "were warmly welcomed at the checkpoints."
At 7 a.m., Prigozhin announced that in Rostov, some soldiers of the Russian Guard and the police had allegedly gone over to his side. Some clashes with the Russian army took place.
After that, a video appeared showing the Wagner mercenaries entering the headquarters building of the Southern Military District. It also indicates Prigozhin demanding that an official military hand over Gerasimov [ the head of Russia's general Staff – ed.] and Shoigu. Otherwise, Wagner mercenaries will block Rostov and allegedly go to Moscow.
In another video, Prigozhin stated that Wagner PMC captured all military facilities in the city, including the airfield.
In Moscow, Voronezh, and Rostov-on-Don, the Federal Security Service of Russia, the Russian Guard, and the police were alerted after midnight, and the "Fortress" plan was introduced in the cities. Its essence is the maximum protection of state authorities and law and order.
According to Mykhailo Podoliak, the adviser to the head of the President's Office, the rebellion of the PMC founder will end in the defeat of one of the parties, as it will no longer be possible to reach an agreement.
There are reports that the Wagner mercenaries have probably occupied another settlement in the Russian Federation. In particular, the village of Krasne in the Lipetsk region.
In the end, on the evening of June 24, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, reported that the owner of the Wagner company had agreed to stop the movement of mercenaries on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Later, Prigozhin himself confirmed that his mercenaries were turning their columns and going in the opposite direction. According to him, the mercenaries "passed 200 km before reaching Moscow" in a day. He did not mention the conversation with Lukashenka.
The Kremlin announced that the criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin would be dropped, he would "go to Belarus," and the authorities would not prosecute the Wagner mercenaries for the attempted coup. The guarantee that Prigozhin will be able to go to Belarus "is the word of the President of Russia."
